CONTROVERSIAL plans to provide 19 static caravan holiday homes at a a popular Brent Knoll pub have been approved.

The Fox and Goose Inn’s application is to put in 19 static caravans with creation of an internal access road, landscaping and ancillary development work on land situated east of the pub between Brent Knoll and the M5.

However Brent Knoll Parish Council objected to the application, describing it as ‘an overdevelopment of the site that will cause excessive traffic generation.

The council also stated its concerns over the lack of indication of drainage intentions ‘bearing in mind the pressure already on the drainage services in this location’.

No objections were received from members of the public.

However Somerset County Council’s transport development group said it did have an issue with the development.

The landscape officer felt it would not have a significant visual impact on the area and the nearest residential is 90m north of the site.

Highways said it did not oppose the application provided there was a condition to ensure parking and turning be kept clear of obstruction.

Sedgemoor District Council’s development committee approved the plans at its meet- ing on Tuesday, June 6 at the Canalside in Bridgwater.

It is subject to the condition that “the static caravans shall only be used for tourism purposes and shall not be occupied as a person’s sole or main residence.”

The pub will not be allowed to fell trees and hedgerows to ensure the screening of the site is maintained.

The Fox & Goose Inn say this is a planned investment which will improve the business’s viability, ‘both in the short term and longer term’.